CLASSICS WON’T BE FORCED OFF OUR ROADS
Moves to support the introduction of self-driving cars to British roads will not restrict how you can use your classic, government vows
‘The needs of historic vehicles must be considered from the outset.’ FBHVC ON THE FUTURE OF ALKS
The Department for Transport (DfT) has said that moves to support self-driving cars will not force classics with older technology off our roads.
The confirmation came after a call for evidence from stakeholders to help implement autonomous driving technologies known as Automated Lane Keeping System (ALKS), regarded as a stepping-stone to the eventual roll out of self-driving cars. In use, ALKS would allow a connected modern vehicle to stay in lane without driver intervention.
A DfT spokesperson said: ‘ALKS must be able to safely interact with other vehicles which it may encounter, which includes all vehicles capable of driving on motorways.
‘ We are currently analysing the responses, including from the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs.’ Calls for evidence lasted from 18 August to 27 October.
The Federation for British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) was among the stakeholders who took part – and who studied a document released by the DfT and Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles interested in making ALKS operate at speeds at up to 70mph. ALKS was originally designed to intervene at a maximum of 60kph (37 mph) – a limit set by the European Union but not recognised by a post-Brexit Great Britain.
Wayne Scott, Communications Director for the FBHVC, reassured Classic Car Weekly and clubs that it had stated the case for historic vehicles emphatically.
He said: ‘ Whilst we do not wish to be a barrier to development, we have made our voice heard loudly that any measures to implement autonomous vehicles on the UK’s roads must be rolled out in such a way as to ensure historic vehicles can continue to use the roads safely, and unhindered. We believe that the future can enjoy co-existence with new technologies, if the needs of historic vehicles are considered from the outset.’
Clubs remain sceptical of ALKS, especially when faced with the prospect of sharing roads with semi-autonomous and fully autonomous vehicles.
Michael Carpenter, East Coast Retros co-founder, said: ‘A [selfdriving] car is only as good as the technology and I can’t say that I trust any technology to the extent that I’ll be happy to share a road with it. It just takes a [faulty] sensor or laser and you’ve got a pile up on your hands.’
] fbhvc.co.uk